Australia tightens student visas amidst migration surge. New measures include English proficiency requirements and crackdowns on visa misuse. The influx, primarily from Asian countries, strains housing markets. These steps aim to balance economic growth with social stability as Australia reassesses its immigration policies amid record-high migration levels.
- Australia Implements Stricter Student Visa Rules Amid Migration Surge
- Crackdown on Student Visa Misuse and Housing Market Pressure in Australia
- Balancing Act: Australia Tightens Student Visa Regulations to Manage Record-High Migration
Australia Tightens Student Visa Rules Amid Record-High Migration
Australia is set to implement stricter visa regulations for international students this week, coinciding with a surge in migration that is adding pressure to the country’s already constrained rental market.
Strengthened Visa Requirements
Starting this week, Australia will enforce heightened English language prerequisites for student and graduate visas. Additionally, the government will wield authority to suspend educational institutions found repeatedly violating regulations related to international student recruitment. Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil emphasized that these measures aim to uphold migration strategy commitments and address flaws inherited from the previous administration.
Crackdown on Misuse of Student Visas
To deter individuals from exploiting student visas for employment purposes, Australia will introduce a “genuine student test.” Moreover, “no further stay” conditions will be more extensively applied to visitor visas. These steps build upon previous efforts to revoke COVID-era concessions, such as unlimited working hours for international students, initiated by the former government.
Impact on Migration and Housing Market
Despite Australia’s temporary increase in migration to address labor shortages post-pandemic, the influx of foreign workers and students has exacerbated pressures on the rental market. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed a 60% surge in net immigration, reaching a record 548,800 individuals in the year ending September 30, 2023. This influx, primarily driven by students from India, China, and the Philippines, has not only expanded the labor pool but also strained housing availability, contributing to record-low rental vacancies and soaring construction costs.
Background
Australia’s decision to tighten student visa regulations comes amid efforts to manage record-high migration levels. With the country’s population swelling at a rapid pace—rising by 2.5% to 26.8 million people in the year ending September 2023—the government has been compelled to reassess its immigration policies. The surge in migration, fueled by students from key Asian countries, has both eased labor market pressures and exacerbated housing shortages. Recognizing the need to strike a balance between economic growth and social stability, Australia aims to recalibrate its immigration framework to address these challenges effectively.
